all hallows eve

With Halloween just a few days away, I got to wondering about a day that for some is such a huge treat, no pun intended. So here are just a few fun facts...

before pumpkins, folks carved turnips (I'm frowning with my nose looking like it has been under the knife, I don't like those little anemic looking bulbous vegetables)

the parade in The Village is the biggest in the USA with over 2M spectators and 50,000 participants (I remember that the one and only time I went to the fabulous parade was somehow one of the last major events I attended before I moved from the City a few days after Thanksgiving in 2000…took me 9 years to get there but better late than never and I treasure the wooden token someone threw to me that chilly night)

halloween may have been around for over 6,000 years (wonder what costumes they wore back then?)

in Scotland, hanging a wet sheet in front of a fire is believed to reveal future hubbies for single ladies (wonder if that will work in DC?)

orange is a symbol of strength and endurance (better put a pumpkin outside my door)

the word witch comes from the Old English word “wicce” which means wise women (so maybe not so bad to be called one, beats the other itch word)

Halloween has also been referred to as Snap-Apple (wonder if this is the origin for the naming of Snapple beverages?)

in China, lanterns shaped like dragons and other animals are hung to guide spirits back to their earthly homes (first thing that came to mind -- leave the light on....must be pretty though)

There are loads of other interesting facts about All Hallows Eve, just do a search and you’ll see! So wear your clothes inside out, walk backwards and you just might see a witch at midnight if you...

keep your peepers open!® 

after thoughts

…so continuing with the Wednesday blog thoughts...

It took no time to settle into feeling completely at ease with the change in my office. Funny, I loved the busyness of my collaged hodge-podge collection of numerous pictures, clippings, sayings, memos, and magnets yet did not miss it once it was replaced by the simplicity of a select few. Now, a different energy spreads from corner to corner, floor to ceiling; a sense of calm ease permeates the room allowing me to breathe differently. It kind of feels like the “negative space” in front of me has brought much needed balance, keeping things in perspective as the next composition is being created so…

keep your peepers open!®

nudge me

Change is good it is said. Sometimes when we know that change is necessary, we make plans to make changes; change is not always willing to cooperate with our plan. The nudges begin, some small, some a little more forceful but all present themselves in order to move hesitation into action. Yesterday I walked into my office to find water in places it should not have been forcing me to take down years of memories, some now crinkled and unsalvageable. While I was sad for just a while, I took my time cleaning up the wet mess, taking breaks every now and again to keep from feeling overwhelmed; not once did I wonder why this had happened. As the hours passed, a new canvas replaced the old to greet me each morning, signaling a fresh perspective and so much more.

Change is not only good, it’s necessary in order to see so…

keep your peepers open!® 

creative passport

My plans to escape to exotic lands abroad have been thwarted for various reasons this past year. While my body has not left the country, my mind, soul and spirit have been on contemplative journeys both short and long each day. Some of these moments are accompanied by music which at times moves me along the path. Others have sparked a flurry of writing allowing me to complete short stories, poems or narratives that were waiting for me to finish thoughts previously jotted down in journals or electronically. Recently I’ve pulled out the paints, popped in some CD’s and who knows how many hours later risen from the table to retrace my steps, marveling over where I’ve been; I grab the camera to capture the locations, find that with some embellishment are so many more roads to traverse, then, once explored, frame the pictures as if I’d seen them in a museum somewhere.

Delighted, I clean up, floating or dancing to the music I’m not sure I heard as my hands orchestrated the stops while I was away with a bit of impatience -- I know not when the next trip will come but sure am ready to go!

Do you have a creative passport? If you’re not using it, dust it off. Let it be the vehicle that takes you places without having to leave the building and as you move along…

keep your peepers open! ®

hail to the

T’is a lovely autumn thus far…

…hail to the splendor of the season and…

keep your peepers open!®

i v

Lots of things going on around me as I continue to celebrate my birthday but here’s a peek at notes from my journal about a more local getaway that was a nice substitute for not being farther away from DC…

10/4 The Ivy is a drop of fabulousness in Baltimore just a hop, skip and jump from train station. In a residential area, windows keep almost all of the outside noise outside. Really more like a B&B as there is no "front desk" per se; sat down in a lush velvet/suede turquoise chair at an antique desk to review my room agreement and noted...there is no tipping here, that those who work may not accept gratuities. Attentive, knowledgeable staff, met me with glass of champagne when the taxi arrived though I never said when I would get here! Took my bag and saw it again when I arrived in my room after a tour. Went down for tea and light late lunch. Love that you can order popcorn which was fresh popped with choice of toppings, made me feel like home and there is no such thing as an honor bar...room is stocked with snacks, tea, coffee, beverages and some alcohol to consume at your pleasure, no additional charge. Cashmere blankets drape the couch, the chair on the bedroom and the bed…love a snuggly blanket and cashmere. Nice surprise to be upgraded to a suite in this totally gorgeous property!

Lots of parlors downstairs to relax in each a different decor, one has a cool antique pool table.

Beautifully appointed dining room that, if you are a guest, can be reserved to host meetings in.

10/5 Woke around 4:30am surprised by the light that automatically turns on in the water closet just before I stepped across the bathroom threshold. Since I didn't soak last night, I lit three candles, turned on the water to begin drawing a warm bath, sprinkled in salts softly fragranced with pear, found soothing meditation sounds on my iPad and lowered myself into a cocoon, the shape of the white egg cradling my body, its curvaceous high back providing a comfortable rest for my head. Calmed by candlelit peace, I closed my eyes as the water continued to rise, a blanket to cover me in warmth. Misty dew covered my face...how long had I been lost in stillness? I lifted my foot to prop it on the edge of the tub...that light in the water closet said it was time for me to emerge...motion sensors do have their pros and cons!

Big disappointment w spa which totally threw my day off...only had massage no pedi, missed tea. They did offer a comp service, took something off the bill and gave me a gift however, my relax flow was broken for a bit.

Need to come back because I didn’t sit out on the veranda or go to the restaurant which is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

This is truly a home away from home (sans a kitchen) with lots of extras; they've got a great formula, hope it takes off as this is a very new property that just opened in August.

My stay at The Ivy revived me. I will return for another infusion of luxurious good care so…

keep your peepers open!®

don't wait

Within you is the capacity to manifest the memories you wish to have, don’t wait for others to create
them for you.
 - Tina S. Lassiter

Some of my most cherished memories from childhood include birthday celebrations especially when dressed in a fluffy party dress with its crinoline beneath, a bow to accessorize my braided hair, lots of kids around a table with a homemade cake at the center, party games with favors for my friends, and presents just for me to unwrap. Over the years, there have been a few surprise parties which were delightful along with a variety of fun activities and gatherings initiated by me. I’m not sure when I made the decision to take the day off on my own personal holiday, the beginning of my own personal new year but I’m so glad I continue to give myself that present annually. More recently, I have orchestrated trips abroad on or close to my birth date and if I cannot be out of the country, will find a get-away more often than not involving a spa. A birthday signals my time to rejoice with others or all by myself and while it has been marvelous when someone else plans the merriment, I don’t wait for others to ensure that I do something that brings me joy, this year was no exception (check back Sunday for a recount of just one of the things I did).

Do things you want to do, go to places you’ve dreamed of, splurge every now and again, gather your tribe to celebrate everything or simply nothing at all not only for your birthday, but anytime you wish. Live at whatever volume you desire and as you do…

keep your peepers open!®

this past last

It has been overcast and rainy for the past week; I’m in the mood for some sun! For me, gray skies and downpours are a signal to retreat to cozy indoor options. Normally when nature’s waterworks are in play, I turn on some music, gather up magazines then hop into bed with a cup of tea as the melody outside my windows provides background sound. I know that rain is necessary, that the lack of it in some parts of the country contributes to wild fires of devastation however, I don’t relish having to move about outside when we get a pour. That said I don’t know what got into me last week. Maybe it was the change in vacation plans due to the wet weather stretching up the east coast from the Caribbean, perhaps it was the many celebrations that started my time off. Whatever the reason, I found myself dressed and out almost every day returning home feeling invigorated by the chill in the air, the moisture on my skin. Waking up on my birthday to a sunless sky did not dampen my spirits in the least in fact I was reminded of a promise to myself to go outside as I did when I was a child to let the rain soak me from head to toe; that is just one of the gifts I gave myself yesterday as I rang in the start of another year of life so I await the next gush from the clouds. In the meantime, I’m in the mood for some SUN so…

keep your peepers open!®

ps -- Here’s to all who celebrate a Libra and/or October birthday; yesterday was just fabulous! Grateful for family, friends, creativity, and so much more, most thankful for the affirmation of life contained in each breath I am granted. Cheers!